Not sure if you have ever seen this show, Harry’s Law, and honestly, I don’t even know how it is doing in the ratings (though TVSquad says it is doing admirably). What I do know is that this is a great show.  It has heart, without being preachy. It gives us a glimpse (though a stylized glimpse mind you) of what goes on in the inner cities, but it doesn’t ask us to feel sorry for the people that live there. And, of course, it has the wonderful Kathy Bates, the charming Nathan Corddry, the perky Brittany Snow, the stoic (but likable) Aml Ameen, and the always hilarious (an under-appreciated) Christopher McDonald.  Can you tell that I love this show?

The premise is simple - Bates plays Harriet Korn, a respected, well paid patent attorney that has become disillusioned, even unhappy with her job and her life.  In the first five minutes of the pilot, she is let go from her lucrative position. Not knowing what to do or where to turn, she suffers two tragic, yet hilarious accidents that end up with her in the hospital. In the first accident she meets Malcolm (Ameen), an intelligent young man that has become mixed up with drugs. In the second, she is hit by Adam’s (Corddry’s) car.  Neither accident is that serious, but each one simply comes out of nowhere and takes the viewer by surprise. At the end of the pilot, Harry (as she is known) has opened up her practice in a neighborhood you would not associate with someone like her.  She has also gained a partner, Adam, and a paralegal, Malcolm.  Her loyal (and VERY perky) assistant, Jenna (Snow), followed her as well.  And the unlikely group is on their way to establishing themselves as people that actually care about those around them.

This show is brought to us by David E. Kelly. The man that gave us Boston Public, Boston Legal, The Practice and Ally McBeal. And I think he is on his game here!  

I am not sure if Christopher McDonald is going to be a mainstay, but so far he has been in every episode, and he is wonderful as Tommy Jefferson, a big talking, publicity seeking lawyer.  He takes cases that put him in the public eye, and as such he has become something of a joke, but he knows his stuff.  He is a good lawyer, with an actual heart. And though he can come off as smarmy, the character cares. He has made it clear how much he respects Harry, and he has come through for her more than once.

There have been some great guest stars as well - but Kelley never makes it just about them. This is still Bates’ show. Steve Harris (Eugene from Kelley’s show The Practice) had a memorable guest turn as Jeffrey Rollins, a man imprisoned for murder. Camryn Manheim (also from The Practice) was in last night’s wonderful episode as a battle hardened DA that shares a past with Tommy.  And let’s not forget the crazy Paul McCrane who has played DA Josh Peyton in a few episodes.

But again, this isn’t about the guest star of the week.  This is about Bate’s Harry, and her spirit. She came right out and said last night, “I never had kids - but somehow I ended up a mother.  You guys are my kids.”  And she proceeded to kick each of her co-workers in the butt…  No, not literally. Bates brings a heart to Harry. You don’t get the feeling that she is where she is because she pities the people they are helping - no, she is there by choice. And that brings a different dimension to the show. The setting of this show is a hard neighborhood - it could use this setting as means to evoke the viewers pity, to tug on our heart strings, and though I do tear up a bit at times, it is because Kelley has given the characters a voice rather than just making them victims of circumstance.

If you aren’t watching this show… you are missing a wonderful 45 minutes.  That’s why this show is on my Must See TV List.

Hmm…no clue!  This is courtesy of Corey by the way.  I was drawing a blank, he was acting silly and I thought..why not?

As far as men go….probably Jason Statham or Bruce Willis, just because I am a fan.

Women-maybe Sigourney Weaver is someone I really like as an actress, and she just seems cool.

I think it would have to be a dual stalking…I would stand behind them and have someone take pictures of me, on the other hand…I am just too lazy to actually stalk someone, just way too much work!

Tell me about someone that is famous and you just can’t figure out why?

For me it is more about specific things I like in someone.  Take Scarlett Johannson (I don’t even know if I spelled her last name right, but she annoys me so much I can’t even be bothered to double check) I dont’ know WHY she annoys me (and no I am not jealous of her…as I don’t think she is even that pretty), I have yet to see a movie of her’s that I thought she really stood out in…but she gets constant praises!  I dont’ get it.

Those Jersey Shore Kids-I tried to watch one episode, to see if I could get into it…so dumb!  People are actually fans of this show?  Same thing with “The Hills.”  What?  Really?  That’s entertainment?

ON the other hand, I can think of a ton of actors that I think I severely underrated, but we’ll save that for tomorrow…